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Fifty-thousand. That was the number of people that poured into the largest baseball stadium in the Bronx. It served as the best location for the debate since the backside with the least seats could be used as a stage, while the rest of the multi-story seats housed the visitors.
The seats were sold and all the money was going to a cancer research hospital. Security was also tight ever since the 'terrorist' attack on Tony Stark. Even five Iron Guardians were deployed to the stadium to maintain peace.
Massive screens were added so everyone could see what was going on. It no longer looked like a debate but the final of the World Series.
Now this is what I call a debate. Tony arrived at the venue and peeked at the stadium from behind the stage. Perfect stage.
"Anthony Edward Stark!"
As his name was announced, Tony walked onto the stage while waving his hand at the crowd. He loved it, the roaring cheers of the stadium from his mere arrival. He felt like a rockstar, or perhaps even more.
No wonder celebrities grow a big head. This is intoxicating.
"Matthew Ellias!"
The second contender walked out. A man in his sixties with auburn hair, your average-looking politician with a little bit of belly.
"Edward Nomm!"
Then an even older guy came onto the stage, shorter than Tony, but with white hair and a wrinkly face. Though his eyes were awfully striking and bright.
What gives them the confidence when even the sitting President has given up? Tony wondered in silence and walked up to the middle podium. They probably have every single lobbyist group standing behind them.
It was a traditional debate, so there was only one moderator whose job was to announce the topic. After that, each candidate would get two minutes to speak.
The truth was that the two other candidates did not need to agree to do the debate with Tony. Since the entire system was tilted against any third candidate, the two could have just held a debate between themselves and called it a day. Sadly for them, not only Tony's but their internal polls also revealed that Tony Stark was the prime choice for the November voting across the country. Enough that he couldn't be ignored anymore.
Very soon, the crowd calmed down and the first topic started. It was about the economy, mainly job creation, deficit reduction, and tax policies.
Tony didn't speak first and let the other two cook whatever they had planned.
"I think… A holistic approach towards taxation is what we need. We can't go with pitchforks at the wealthy, but at the same time we can't be too accommodating…" Matthew Ellis finished.
Then the other guy started and rambled something along similar lines but with a more hardline approach towards the wealthy. In fact, the man accused Tony of being one of the people who should be taxed more.
Tony didn't budge and let the two men finish. Four minutes later, it was finally his turn.
"Wow, are you done with the whole speech your army of interns cooked up for you? Holistic? Comprehensive? Those are just fancy words for 'we don't know what we're doing.' This year, I paid over two hundred billion in taxes—yes, that's 'billion' with a 'B'—and I'll probably break my own record next year. You two? You're part of the problem. Your backers are the super-rich you keep yammering about—Both of you have been supported by AMA, API, and NAM in the past.
"A few months ago, I threw out a little suggestion—a new IRS system, total transparency. Every company, every dollar, out in the open for everyone to see. No secret handshakes, no backroom deals. First step? Holding them accountable—The fact is, there are loopholes—ones companies, and you two, slip through to dodge taxes. So, before we start crying for more taxes, how about everyone just pay what they already owe? Trust me, it'd make a world of difference."
Tony stopped as his time came to an end. After that, the debate shifted to job creation and deficit.
Tony shrugged. "Jobs will appear when the economy is doing well. For things to actually work, we need someone in the White House who doesn't have a lifetime membership to the Lobbyists' Country Club, you know? America's not a nation of cogs in a machine; we're a nation of entrepreneurs, thinkers, builders. So here's the deal: my government will go all-in on startups. To ease the manufacturing, innovation, and creation—there are helping tools that already exist in the Stark Industry. Yeah, I'll make 'em public. Because why should I have all the fun?
"When the Industrial Revolution came, a lot of farmers lost their jobs. When the factories became automated, a lot of workers lost their jobs. There's always a next step. We've gotta be smart about it. So, yeah, let's get someone in the office with a brain, not just a mouthpiece reading the script. That's all I'm saying."
Tony wasn't being very kind. His bid for election turned into a fight against a special class of people that was called 'career politicians'. A word that should never have existed.
Slowly, the debate went on. It was boring for Tony since it was too predictable. It was a mere formality for all three of them. But Tony kept the last hit piece for the best part.
Tony easily won when it came to Energy Policy. He had already electrified New York City with his green tech. When it came to women's rights, he got accused of being a playboy, but he slammed the two back with their rumored sexual harassment cases, which he never had.
Foreign Policy was also easy. Tony had just been awarded the highest honor in Japan. His Iron Guardians were his foreign policy.
When it came to healthcare, he didn't say much but gave out an ultimatum to the medical world. That he had the means to make all healthcare as cheap as pennies using more Iron Guardians but for medical purposes. As for the exorbitant medicine prices, it was a clear monopoly that he didn't shy away from calling out.
By the mere virtue of being supported by no lobby, Tony had the freedom to say what the others did not. Freedom to say what the people wanted to fear, what the people felt angry about. While the other two couldn't without losing the cash support.
At last, the topic came to corruption. This time, the other two rambled about this and that, but Tony targeted the two men directly.
"Corruption, huh? We don't have to look far. Matthew here was a real estate guy with 400k. Then, he became a Senator, and poof, 3 million. Now he's a governor worth over 10 million. Fancy mansion, luxury cars—his wife and daughter even got their own. Oh, and his daughter's a 'star athlete' at Yale. Nationally ranked swimmer—who's somehow never been in a national competition. And his brother? Went from carpenter to owning a construction empire worth 80 million. But hey, I'm sure that the National Mining Association-backed bill you supported had nothing to do with it. By the way, how was last year's family vacation to Switzerland? Must have been grand to have cost four million in taxpayers' money."
"Boooo!"
It was loud once the stadium became noisy. Matthew Ellis was red in anger already, glaring at Tony and trying to say something but nothing came out of his mouth.
"And Edward Nomm," Tony glanced at him with a smirk. "If shamelessness had a poster boy, this is it. The guy went from teaching kids algebra to being the richest Governor with a cool hundred mil in the bank. Says it's all 'cause he started a company—funny how the tax records say he paid a grand total of... a million over five years. Now, let's check the guest list: Big Pharma, Petroleum, Manufacturers—you know, the usual crowd. Oh, and about that mansion you gave your daughter? Fifteen mil, right? And your wife's sister got one too? Does she know?"
Tony looked at the camera then, as if staring at the crowd. He kept a firm face as he spoke the next words. "Corruption? They're the root of it all! They're like leeches, just waiting to suck the life out of the people's wealth. Just because they got elected doesn't make them above the law. Now, I'm no saint, but I've got one secret: I can't be corrupted. You know why? Because I don't care about making a buck—give me my wrench and a plate of burgers, and I'm good to go. So here's the deal: vote for them if you want puppets in office. Vote for me if you want a free nation with a free president.
"Ah, by the way, Matthew, about that assistant of yours that 'mysteriously' died in a car accident two years back. Didn't you pay her two million? And then she reported you to the cops? It's a pity that the police record was erased, but sadly for you, physical record is a thing."
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